Tours For Groups

Portsmouth & Isle of Wight

Destination: UK - England

Duration: 1 day

Portsmouth, the UK only island city, has been a significant naval port for centuries and is home to some of the most famous ships, including HMS Warrior, Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, and Henry VIII favourite ship the Mary Rose. The Spinnaker Tower, standing 170 metres tall, dominates the skyline and allows visitors to go to the top and see the city and the Solent. Portsmouth is also a busy ferry port which transports passengers to nearby islands and France and Spain. Portsmouth is also the birthplace of Charles Dickens and some of his most famous works were born here.

The Isle of Wight is the largest island of England and located in the English Channel. Its outstanding natural beauty makes it a popular destination for day trips from nearby Portsmouth. Queen Victoria even built her much-loved summer residence on the island. Each year, the island hosts popular music festivals which attract thousands to the island. There are many things to see and do on the island such as The Needles ( three distinctive stack of chalk rising out of the sea), Osbourne House (Queen Victoria’s house), and many museums to name just a few.

Example itinerary

Day 1

Morning: Departure from school and travel to Portsmouth. Start of walking tour heading towards the naval yard. See HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, The Spinnaker Tower, and more.

Afternoon: After spending the morning visiting Portsmouth, travel by ferry to Isle of Wight. Spend the afternoon enjoying the wonderful nature of the isle and charming villages.

Evening: Early evening ferry back to Portsmouth and travel back to school. End of Tour.

Sights & places of interest in Portsmouth & Isle of Wight

Spinnaker Tower

This tower with a height of 170 metres is the centrepiece of the recently redeveloped Portsmouth Harbour. The shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents and and modelled after a sail. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Solent and surrounding areas including the naval yard and 350° views all around. The tower was opened during the Millennium celebrations.

HMS Victory

Probably the most famous war-ship in English history. The ship is most famous as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1922, it was moved to a dry dock at the Portsmouth Naval Yard and preserved as a museum ship. Visitors can enjoy walking around this most famous ship and see the spot where Lord Nelson was mortally wounded as well as see how life would have been like whilst at sea on this ship.

HMS Warrior

One of the first armoured frigates built for the Royal Navy in 1859-1861 and now listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, the HMS Warrior stands proud near the railway station in Portsmouth harbour for visitors to enjoy seeing.

Tudor Warship Mary Rose

This carrack-type warship of the English Tudor navy of King Henry VIII served 33 years in different wars against France, Scotland, and Brittany were it achieved success against enemy ships. Whilst leading an attack against French invasion it sank in the Solent just north of the Isle of Wight. It was rediscovered and has undergone one of the most complex and expensive restorations of any ship in the world. Many artefacts from the Tudor-era have been preserved and now the newly built visitor centre allows student groups a glimpse into life on-board Henry VIII’s favourite ship and this bygone era.

Portsmouth Naval Base

This base is one of three naval bases in the United Kingdom for the British Royal Navy. It is the headquarters for two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet as well as commercial shore activities including shipbuilding and ship repair. It is the oldest base in the Royal Navy and it has served in the defence of the British Isles for centuries. At one time it was the largest industrial site in the world.

The Needles- Isle of Wight

The needles are three distinctive stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea off the western edge of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the end of the formation which was built in 1859. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Great Britain. Visitors can access The Needles Pleasure Park situated at the top of the cliff operates a Chairlift between the park and Alum Bay.